England betting
Fabio Capello's England get their 2010 World Cup underway against the USA on Saturday as the nation braces itself for what will hopefully turn out to be a whole month full of tension, anticipation and excitement that, with a bit of luck, will not come to a close with the eventual disappointment that has plagued the Three Lions in major tournaments for over 40 years. Whether you're a newcomer to the betting environment or even if you consider yourself a bit of a rabbits foot when it comes to putting your money where your mouth is here is some help for England fans. This article is focused solely on England and the numerous bets fans may cast.
Let’s start with a few safe bets, such as ‘England to win all three group games’. This is quite a decent bet because while the Three Lions have hardly set the world alight in their World Cup warm-up matches, it's hard to escape the reality that, on paper, Capello's charges have a favorable group. Consecutive victories against the USA, Algeria and Slovenia should be a realistic target. Another safe bet would be on ‘England to score 10 or more goals’, this is a fairly decent bet because firstly, Wayne Rooney is in excellent form. But even excepting the Manchester United man, England scored an impressive three goals per game during qualification and, in the group stages in South Africa in particular, there should be chances aplenty for the Three Lions' attacking line.
Another great bet this World Cup is for Rooney to score more goals than Ronaldo.
While the wink alone is enough to tempt you to back Rooney, fans already understand the merits of England's group while a stuttering Portugal side face up to Brazil and the Ivory Coast. Factor in that Ronaldo hasn't scored for his country since February last year and you're on to a winner. England to lose a penalty shoot-out is another good bet to go with as England's ineptitude from 12 yards has been hard to escape over the years and so one would have to say it's becoming a bit of a safe bet. Knocked out of tournaments in 1990, 1996, 1998, 2004 and 2006 by way of a penalty shoot-out, one wouldn't bet against a similarly gut-wrenching exit from this World Cup.
Any England player to score seven goals or more is also a fairly solid bet to go with. Ronaldo managed it back in 2002 with eight goals for Brazil and with Rooney in the form of his life at present anything is possible in South Africa. England to win a match on penalties is another betting favorite. This is the flip side to the earlier penalty logic and eventually England has to win one of these things. ‘England to be the top scoring team in the tournament’ seems likely as well; having managed 34 goals in 10 games, England was the top European scorers in qualifying and the goals could flow again in South Africa.
Steven Gerrard to be England's top scorer is a decent bet because he could be deployed just behind Rooney in attack and should anything, god forbid, happen to England's talisman; Gerrard would likely have to step up. Wayne Rooney to be sent off is another possibility despite them denying it in the media opponents will surely be out to push Rooney's buttons which could potentially tip him over the edge.
Then the bets that are a bit of a gamble. For example ‘England to win World Cup & Rooney to win Golden boot’, The outcome that all England fans dream of but, in all seriousness, if the Three Lions are to go all the way in South Africa, Rooney will likely be amongst the goals too. ‘An England player to score the fastest goal in the tournament’ is another one, because If fans see Capello's men going full throttle from the off in their World Cup matches this summer, they’ll get decent odds on them finding the net quicker than anyone else.
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